Sheet feeding apparatus



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A. BYROADMEYER SHEET FEEDINGAPPARATS original Filed oct'. 31, 1932 y @lbf/wm Patented June 14, 193s UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 2,120,484 snEE'r FEEDING APPARATUS rAlbert Broadmeyer, Harrisburg, Fa., assignor to W. 0. Hlckok Manufacturing Company, Harrisburg, Pa., a. corporation of Pennsylvania Original application October 31, 1932, Serial No.

Divided and this application August 19, 1936, Serial No. 96,901

13 Claims.

plng or binding mechanism, although it is useful wherever it is desirable to feed single sheets at intervals.

One object of the invention isl to provide a mechanism for delivering single sheets from an assemblage or pile and deliver the same at a point remote from such assemblage or pile.

Another object is to provide novel means for maintaining a supply of sheets to be delivered by the feeding mechanism.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a somewhat diagrammatic plan view showing the feeder in use with a cooperating stapling machine.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the feeder viewed in the direction of the arrow A of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figures 4 and 5 are respectively sectional views on the lines 4-4 and 5 5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view oi the outer portion of the mechanism adjacent to the conveyor and is an extension of 1 the section shown in Figure 5, but with the suctionmechanisxn at the discharging position.

Figure 7 is a detail'vertical sectional view illustrating the controlling mechanism for the sheet advancing means.

Figure 8 is a detail sectional view showing the suction head depressing means.

Figure 9 is a top plan view of the same.

Figure 10 is a detail sectional view of the cam mechanism shown in Figure 7, but reversed therefrom.

Figure 11 is a vertical sectional view of the mechanism for moving the sheets from the top to the lower table.

Figure `12 is a view of the gearing employed for operating these parts. y

Figure 13 is a detail view illustrating the operating means for the prime mover pinion of the'carriage operating mechanism.

Figure 14 is a detail view on an enlarged scale 'of the carriage moving mechanism.

Figure 15 is a perspective view of the carriage and suction head carrier.

Figure `16 is a vertical sectional View therethrough. l

Figure 17 is a horizontal sectional view on the line I'I-l1 of Figure 16.

Figure 18 is a horizontal sectional view on the 5l line |8-I8 of Figure 16.

Figure 19 is a vertical sectional view on the line |9-l9 of Figure 16.

Figure 20 is a detail view of the sheet support as illustrated in Figure 5, but with the suction head in its operative position.

Figure 21 is a bottom plan view of the structure shown in Figure 20.

Figure 22 is a detail perspective view of the sheet support. 15

Figure 23 is a detail perspective view of the sheet receiving table and the"saddle or conveyor.

Figure 24 is a detail sectional view of the sheet receiving table and saddle or conveyor. 20

Figure 25 is a top plan view of the same.

' Figure 26 is a horizontal sectional View on the line 26-26 oi' Figure 3.

Figure 27 is a sectional view on the line 21-21 of Figure 4.

Figure 28 lis a detail perspective view of the sheet presser rollers and their mountings.

Figure 29 is a detail perspective view of the feeler linger.

Describing the drawings more particularly, Figure 1 illustrates one use of the feeder. A book-binding machine in the form of stapling mechanism is shown at 33, and such mechanism is provided with a drive shaft 34. Extending from one end of the machine is a saddle in the form of an endless conveyor which is provided with spaced fingers 36, between which the sets are to be placed. The feed mechanism is designated generally 31, and here combined with the stapling mechanism, it operates to place on the saddle and between the fingers the covers that are to enclose the signatures which have been placed on the saddle prior to the passage of the lingers past the feed mechanism.

The main driving member for the feed mechanism is a drive shaft 38. The shaft 38 is driven from the drive shaft 34 of the stapling machine through driving mechanism designated generally l0, which is specifically describedand claimed in application, Serial No. 640,570, of 50 which this is a division.

Coming now to the preferred detail construction of the sheet feeding mechanism, it is shown to be of the continuous type. A frame, consisting of bars 62 mounted on'sultable standards 63 55 with head plates 84 and 85, is employed. On this frame is an .upper rearwardly declined table 88, over which operate spaced tapes 81 that'pass around an upper roller 68, a rear roller 88 of relatively large diameter and underguide rollers 18. Brackets 1 carried on posts 12, provide supports for an upper roller 13, around which other tapes 14 pass, these latter tapes being out of line with the tapes 61, and passing around the rear side of the large roller 69, thence around a lower roller 15, and upwardly about a` spring supported tension roller 18 whose bores 11 are slidably mounted on guide stems 18 and are supported by coiled springs 18 on said stems. Operating around the roller 15 are horizontally disposed forwardly bearing tapes 88 that pass about ar front roller 8| and this roller 8| isvconnected with the rear rolller 18 by a sprocket chain 82 operating around sprocket wheels connected to said rollers. The roller 8|. constitutes a drive roller, and thus movement is transmitted through the tapes 88 and sprocket chain 82 to the rear roller 15. As already explained this roller has the tapes 14 passing thereabout. In order that the larger roller 69 may be properly driven with the f roller- 15 and as shown particularly in Figure 12 there is fixed to the lower roller 15 a gear wheel 83 which transmits motion through idler gears 84 to a gear wheel 85 fixed to the roller 88. So that the sheet moving tapes may be operated manually in order to initially supply sheets in feeding position and adjust them, if the supply declines, a hand wheel 86 is mounted on a shaft 81, which is geared, as illustratedat 88, to one of the idler gears .84. There is also preferably provided a set of presser rollers 89, shown in Figures 2 and 28. These rollers are journaled on a cross spindle 88 adjustably mounted on a swinging. arm 8| pivoted on a rock shaft 82. The rollers 88 bear upon the lupper stretches of the tapes 88 between their ends and thus on the sheets that are carried by said tapes.

It is thought the operation of this portion of the mechanism will now be clear. 'I'he sheets fanned out on the upper tapes 81, are carried around the roller 88 and delivered on the-upper forwardly moving stretches of the tapes 88 and are advanced to the front roller 8|. of said roller 8| and as specifically shown in Figures 5, 20, 21 and 22, is a sheet support which may be said to constitute a table and on to which the advanced ends of the sheets are delivered by the upper stretches of the tapes 88. This table is supported on a cross rod 83 and consists of horizontal plates 84 having downwardly inclined rear ends 95 and carried` by brackets 88 having split collars 81 clamped on the rod 83. This permits the individual plates 84 to be moved along the collar. At least one of these plates is provided with an upstanding stop 88 having a rearwardly extending hookor beak 88 under which the front edges of the sheets engage. as indicated in Figure 20. It will be understood that the topmost sheets are successively removed from this table by the mechanism hereinafter explained. As they are removed the sheet-carrying mechanism above described is intermittently advanced. 'I'he disclosed mechanism for advancing these sheets, is the following:

The roller 8| is mounted on a shaft 8|a which is provided at one end with a ratchet wheel |88 (see Figure '1). Journaled on this shaft 8|a alongside the ratchet wheel is a swinging pawl carrier arm. |8I, and mounted on said arm is a pivoted 75 pawl |82 that operates on the ratchet wheel when In advance rise the arm |8| is swung. 'Ihe main drive shaft 28 of the feeder is provided with a cam |83 having an inset portion |84, and riding the periphery of this cam is a. roller |85 journaled on the end of the pawl carrier arm |8|. The roller is held against the periphery of the cam by a spring |8|a on a rod |82a that is slidable through a guide |83a, the spring bearing against the said guide. As the shaft 88 and cam |83 rotate, the roller will run into the inset portion |84 of the cam and the pawl |82 will ride over one or more teeth of the ratchet wheel. Then as the roller is forced out by the enlarged portion of the cam, the pawl operating against one of the teeth, will cause a partial rotation of the ratchet wheel |88, and consequently of the shaft 8|a and the roller 8|, the latter as heretofore explained, operating the train of mechanism that advances the sheets.

To stop this operation and prevent an oversupply of sheets when a suiiicient number is in piace on the table, a feeler spring finger |88 is provided that lies over the table 84 (see Figure 5), and is carried by a rock shaft |81. This rock shaft also is provided with an arm |88, to the free end of which is pivotally connected a depending link |88. The link has a longitudinal slot ||8 in its lower end and in this slot is engaged a pin carried by one of the arms ||2 of a weighted bell crank I3. The other upstanding arm ||4 of this bell crank is connected to a reciprocatory detent finger 5 whose free end is slidable in a pivoted guide ||6 on the pawl carrier |8|. The lower end of the pawl carrier |8| below its pivot mounting is provided with an enlargement ||1, having a notch 8 adapted to be engaged by the toothed end of a pivoted dog ||8. A spring |28 urges this dog into the notch, and it will be evident that when it is engaged in the notch, the arm |8| will be held from swinging rearwardly and consequently the roller |85 cannot enter the inset portion |84 of the cam. Whenever the arm |8|, however, swings to carry the notch I8 beyond the dog ||8, said dog will ride upon a displacing plate |2| that is adjustably mounted, as shown at |22, on lthe lower end of the counterweight. The dog ||8 furthermore ls provided with an upstanding finger |23 plvoted thereto, as shown at |24, and having its upf, per end slidably mounted in a guide |25 pivoted on the pawl carrier arm |8 I. It will be noted that the two fingers ||5 and |28 have their free ends moving in intersecting paths. The rock shaft |81 furthermore has an arm |28 fixed thereto, and provided with a roller |21 that rides on a small cam |28 fixed to the drive shaft 88 alongside the cam |88. On every revolution of the shaft 88 1therefore the rock shaft |81 is mechanically turned and effects an elevation of the i'eeler of idle movement, thelower end wall of the slot ||8 will engage the pin' raising the arm ||2 of the bell crank and pulling the finger I8 out of the path of the finger |28. Assuming then that the Y, pawl carrier |8| is operating and the pawlg|82 is turning the ratchet wheei,..the notch ||8 will be brought in alinement with the free end of the dog ||8 and the spring |28 will carry itaon into the notch, as the nger |23 can by reason' ofthe non-interference of the finger H5. 'Iheoperation ofthe pawl is thereafter prevented, but there is still enough mechanical movement of the parts due to the cam |28 to cause'the plate |2| to run under ythe free end of the dog and depress it, thereby moving the finger |23 downwardly. As the sheets are carried away from the table and thefeeler finger |06 lowers, the detent finger ||5 is moved to the iight and willeventually move over the tcp of the nger |23 when it ls depressed, or to the position as shown in Figure 7. When this has occurred. the extension ||1 is released and the arm |0| can swing sumciently to allow the roller |05 to enter the inset portion |04 of the cam |03. Thereupon the ratchet mechanism becomes operative to advancek more sheets and this advance continues until the feeler finger |06 is again ele# vated by the supply.

The sheets are removed successively from the table 94 and deposited on the saddle or conveyor 35. This conveyor operates through a slot |29 of a horizontal table |30 (see Figures 23-25) the structure being such that the partially folded signatures will pass under the table and/the fingers 36 will project a sulcient distance above the same to engage horizontal. sheets deposited on the table across the slot |29. The sheets are positioned between stop bars |3| mounted on the table and held by set screws |32 passing through slots |33 in said tables, this mounting permitting the adjustment of the bars `|3| toward and from each other. Preferably the bar |3| over which the sheets are delivered hasa rounded top face as shown in lFigure 24. In the rear of said table are preferably provided grooved rollers |34 that ride on the conveyor and press the sheets from their flat horizontal form to a V-shape corresponding to the cross sectional configuration of the saddle.

The mechanismfor feeding the sheets from the table 94 to the table |30 -is as follows: Loosely journaled on the drive shaft 38 is a sleeve -|35, to which are fixed spaced sprocket wheels |86. A horizontal frame |31, extending over the table |30, carries at its outer end a shaft |38 on which are placed corresponding sprocket wheels |39. Around these sprocket wheels pass endless sprocket chains |40, the lower stretches preferably operating on supporting bars |4| hung, as shown at |42 (Figures 5 and 16) from the upper frame |31. Fixed to these lower stretches of the chains |40 is a carriage, consisting of a lower cross bar |43 having upstanding sleeves. |44 at its ends (see Figures 15 and 16). Vertically slidable in said sleeves |44 are the guide members |45 cf a carrier having a cross bar |46 connecting said guide members. Depending from the central portion of this cross bar |46 are two suction heads |41 (the number may obviously be varied).

These heads terminate in open flared mouths |48 and said heads slidably pass through a slot |49 in the carriage bar |43. The carrier and the heads are normally held elevated by coiled springs |50 connected to the lower ends of the guide members |45 and having their upper ends mounted, on standards i5! secured to the guide sleeves |44. The suction mouths |48 are inl communi:- cation through the bores of the heads |41 with a suction conduit |52 extended through the cross bar |46 and the upper endsof the guide members |45. This conduit is connected at one end, and as best illustrated perhaps in Figures 1 and 4, with a flexible tube |53 that is in turn connected to a pipe |54 at one side of the machine. This pipe is connected to a valve casing |55, and from fbp valve casing leads a suction conduit |56 to any suitable form of vacuumcreating means,`as a pump (not shown)., In the valve casing |55 isa valve for controlling the suction through the conduit. This valve may be of any type, as for example, that shown in the patent granted to me Marchj, 1922, No. 1,408,688, or it may be made to vent as well as closethe conduit, as exemplified by the structure` vshown in Patent No. 1,774,315, August 26, 1930. 'Ihe valve is therefore not shown in detail, but it is of the reciprocatory type, and is designated |51. It is connected to a valve stem |58 pivoted to the lower arm |59 of ya lever.|60, and is operated by a cam |6| on the shaft 38.` In order to quickly vent the conduit |52 close to the heads |48, when the suction is cut oirby the valve |51, there are provided in the guide members |45 of the ycarriage relief openings |62. These are normally closed by valves |63 located on the ends of bell cranks |64 that are pivotally mounted on brackets |65 carried by the .guide members (see Figure 15). The upstanding arms of the bell cranks |64 have bearing heads |66, and the valves are normally moved to closed .position by 'coiled springs |61 on the pivots of the bell cranks. The valves are stopped in theirl closed position by pins |68.

The carriage and consequently the suction heads are movedbetween .a position'over the table 94 and a position over the table |30 by moving thegsprocket chains -|40 alternately in opposite directions. This movement is accompllshed by the mechanism detailed in Figure 14. The sleeve |35 carrying the sprocket wheels |36 is provided with a gear wheel |68 that is in mesh with the lower teeth |10 of a reciprocatory rack bar |1| that is slidable in a guideway |12 formed on the horizontal frame |31. This rack bar |1| has an upper set of teeth |13 in mesh with a pinion |14 that may be termed a prime mover. The pinion |14 is in mesh with a stationary rack bar |15, and the pinion is also journaled on a carrier |16 pivotally connected toa pitman |11. This pitman is connected to a cross rod |18 that connects a pair of swingings arms |19 mounted at their lower ends in a rock shaft that is journaled across the frame bars 62. rod is further connected by links |0| to straps |82 that encircle eccentrics |83 fixed to the oppo site ends of the main drive shaft 38.

It will thus be clear that as the drive shaft 38 and the eccentrics |83 rotate, the arms |19 will be rocked, causing a reciprocation of the carrier bar |16 and reciprocating the pinion |14.

The cross- As this pinion is rotated by its engagement with the stationary rack bar |15 during its reciprocation, it transmits a movement to the movable rack bar |13. which is twice that of its own movement. The rack bar in turn, operating on the gear wheel |69, rotates this, and by reason of the larger sprocket wheels |36. the chains are given a greatly increased movement over the reciprocatory movement given to the pinion |14, and this movement of the sprocket chains is 'suicient to carry the suction heads |41 from a position over the supporting table 34 to a position over the receiving table |30 and back again.

When the suction heads |41 are over the table 94, and before or approximately at the time suction is created in said heads, they are depressed on to the topmost sheet of paper on said table. To elect this operation the mechanism illustrated in detail in Figures 8 and 9 is employed. Upstanding brackets |84 are provided on one of the cross rods |85 and pivoted to the upper When the suction heads are at their delivery` position over the table |30, means are provided for opening the vents |52 by the operation of the valves |63. This is accomplished as best shown in Figure 6 by abutments |9| located on the frame |31 and adapted to be engaged by the heads |66 of the bell cranks |64.

Assuming the drive shafr to be timed properly to the conveyor and binding apparatus, the operation of the feeding mechanism is as follows: As the shaft 38 rotates, the suction heads l |41 are brought over the table 9l4 and under the bifurcated ends |81 of the arms |86. At this moment the cams |90 are turned to the position shown in Figure 8, allowing the springs |89 to operate on the arms and depress the suction heads. At approximately the same time the cam |6| comes to a position to open the controlling valve |51 in the suction line and a partial vacnum is created at the mouths |48 of the heads |41, so that the uppermost sheet on the table becomes attached thereto. The arms |86 are now raised by the cams |90 and the springs |50 therefore raise the carrier and suction heads |41 with the sheet attached. At this point the pinion |14 starts on its rearward travel clue `to the operation and positions of the eccentrics |83, so that the sprocket wheels |36 are revolved in a direction to move the lower stretches of the chains rearwardly, carrying the suction heads and the attached sheet with them until the sheet is brought over the .receiving table |30 and-between the stop bars |3I. As the suction heads advance inthis direction the valve |51 is closed to cut off the suction and the heads |66 of the bell cranks |64 strike the abutment |9|, causing the bell cranks to turn and the valves |63 to be removed from the vent ports |62. The vacuum is therefore immediately destroyed, the sheet becomes detached and will position itself between the stop bars |3| and between two sets of fingers 36 of the conveyor 35, carrying the underlying signatures. The conveyor moves on and the rear set of the two will of course move the sheet that has been deposited along with them under the rollers |34, where it is bent downwardly to correspond to the signatures already deposited. The conveyor then carries the assemblage to the stapling mechanism which is timed with the others, to' effect a proper operation in securing together the signatures. As soon as a sheet has been deposited, the eccentrics |83 reversing their positions, cause the pinion |14 to return the carriage, allowingl the vent valves to close and bringing the suction heads again over the table 94 for a repetition of the above described operation.

From the foregoing, itis thought that the construction, operation and many advantages of the herein described invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without further description, and it will berundersto/od that various changes in the size, shape, proportion and minOr details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit'or sacriiicing any of the advantages of the invention.

What I claim, is:

1. In combination with' a support for sheets, of a horizontally movable carriage, a suction head movable with the carriage and movable downwardly thereon, means for moving the head on the carriage to engage a sheet on the support,

f means for creating suction in the head when moved downwardly to engage a sheet, means for relieving said suction including a relief vent and a'closure for the vent that travels with the carriage, and stationary means for engaging and operating the closure to open the vent when the carriage and suction head is at a point to discharge the sheet.

2. In combination with a support for sheets, of a carriage horizontally movable between the support and a delivery point, a suction head mounted on the carriage and movable thereon to engage a sheet on the support, a suction producing conduit in communication with the head, a controlling valve in the conduit, mechanism for separately operating the carriage and the valve in timed relation to create suction in the conduit and head when the carriage has positioned the head at the-sheet support and to cut off thesuction when the carriage has positioned the head at a. desired. delivery point, said conduit having a portion on the carriage provided with a suction relief vent opening, a valve on the carriage conating the valve to open the ventopening when the first controlling valve is operated to out oif'the suction.

3. In combination with a support for sheets, of a track, a reciprocatory carriage mounted on the track and movable to and from a position over the sheet support, a depressible carrier mounted on the carriage, a suction h'ead on the carrier, a carrier depressing arm above the carrier when the latter is adjacent the sheet support, a suction conduit communicating with the head, ra controlling valve in the conduit, a drive shaft, means operated by the drive shaft for reciprocating the carriage, means operated by the drive shaft for depressing the arm and thereby the carrier and head when the latter is above the sheet support, and means for operating the valve to open the suction conduit when the head is depressed.

v 4. In combination with a sh'eet support, of a carriage movable toward and from the same, a sheet carrying device movable with the carriage to carry sheets from the support, a prime mover for the carriage including a rotatable pinion having a limited back and forth movement, fixed and movable racks engaged by the pinion, and. means for operating the carriage by the movable rack.

5. In combination with a sheet support, of a carriage movable toward and from the same, a sheet carrying device movable with the carriage to carry sheets from the support, a prime mover for the carriage including a rotatable pinion having a limited back and forth movement, fixed and movable racks engaged by the pinion, a. gear actuated by the movable rack, and means operated by the gear for causing a back and forth movement of the carriage.

6. In combination with a sheet support, of a reciprocatory carriage movable toward and from the sheet support, a sheet carrying device on the carriage, a track frame, a rack fixed to the frame, a. reciprocatory rack on the frame, a pinion engaged with the racks, means for reciprocating the pinion, a gear 4engaged with the reciprocatory for the carriage having a rack, a sprocket wheel rotated by the gear. and a sprocket chain operated by the sprocket wheel and connected to the carriage.

,'I. In combination with a sheet support, of a carriage movable toward and from the same, a sheet carrying device movable with the carriage to carry sheets from the limited back and forth movement, gearing between the prime-mover and carriage for effecting a greater movement of the latter than that given to the former and including a rotatable gear having a bodily back and forth movement, a drive member for operating the prime mover, and mechanism operated by the drive member in timed relation with the prime mover for actuating the sheet carrying device to attach a sheet thereto when it is adjacent the sheet support and to detach the sheet when removed from said support.

8. In combination with a sheet support, of a reciprocatory carriage movable toward and fromv the sheet support, a sheet carrying suctionl head on the carriage, intermittently operable suction control means for the suction head, a track frame, a rack fixed to the frame, a reciprocatory rack on the frame, a pinion engaged with the racks, means for reciprocating the pinion, a gear engaged with the reciprocatory rack. a sprocket wheel rotated by the gear, a sprocket chain operated by the sprocket wheel and connected to the carriage, a drive shaft, means operated by the drive shaft for reciprocating the pinion, and means operated by the drive shaft for moving the suction control means in timed relation to the reciprocation of the pinion.

9. In sheet feeding apparatus, the combination with a supporting frame, of a drive shaft iournaied thereon, a sheet support, sprocket wheels journaled on the shaft, chains operating around the wheels, a reciprocatory carriage mounted on the chains, a sheet carrier mounted on the carriage. and means operated by the shaft for moving the sprocket wheels alternately in opposite directions to reciprocate the carriage.

10. In sheet feeding apparatus, the combination with a supporting frame, of a drive shaft iournaled thereon. a sheet support, aconveyor operating transversely of the frame at one side of the sheet support. sprocket wheels ,iournaled on the shaft. chains operating around the wheels and extending over the conveyor, a reciprocatory carriage mounted on the chains, -a depressible carrier mounted on the carriage. a'suction head onthecarrienansrmengasingthecarrierwhen' support, a prime mover f f port, a sheet the head is over the sheet support, a cam Aon the drive shaft operating on the arm to depress it and the carrier when the head is positioned over the sheet support, a suction -conduit in communication with the head, a. controlling valve for the conduit. means operated 'by the shaft' for moving the valve to open the conduit when the head isdepressed, and means operated by the shaft for moving the sprocket wheels and chains back and forth to carry the carriage between the sheet support and the conveyor.

1l. In combination with a support for sheets, a horizontally movable carriage, means for moving the carriage toward and from the sheet support, a sheet carrier suction vhead mounted on the carriage and movable' therewith, the sheet carrier being depressible with respect to the carriage. means for creating and destroying suction in the head, and means located adjacent the sheet support and detachably'engaged by the head only when the carriage is at the sheet support, the said means operating when the carriage is at the sheet support, to depress the head to engage a sheet on the support.

12. In combination with a support for sheets, a horizontally movable carriage, means for moving the carriage toward and from the sheet sup' carrier suction head mounted on the carriagev and movable therewith, the said head being depressible withl respect to the carriage and normally held in raised position, means for creating and destroying suction in the head, an overlying swinging arm mounted upon astationary pivot and located at a point adjacent v the sheet support, said arm engaging the head as the latter approaches the sheet support and means for operating the arm when the head is engaged therewith and the carriage is at the sheet support, to depress the head to engage a sheet on the support.

13. In combination ,with a support for sheets.

, a carriage movable in a horizontal direction only.

means for moving the carriage toward and from the sheet support, a vertically reciprocabie, normally raised carrier on the carriage, a sheet carrying device on the carrier, an overlying swinging arm mounted upon a stationary pivot and located adiacent the sheet support, the said arm engaging the carrier as the carriage approaches the sheet support, and a cam operating the arm when engaged with thecarrier to depress the carrier and sheet carrying device to entete the latter with a sheet on the support. l 

